Kalipatnapu Foundation

Banaras Hindu University (BHU) has entered into a noteworthy agreement with the Kalipatnapu Foundation, securing a substantial donation of Rs 1 crore. This generous contribution will establish 40 scholarships tailored for undergraduate (UG) and postgraduate (PG) students majoring in chemistry at the Institute of Science. These scholarships are set up in honour of the late Kalipatnapu Kondiah, who was a distinguished alumnus and former faculty member at BHU. Kondiah’s academic journey began with a BSc and MSc at BHU, and he later served as a faculty member within the Chemistry Department from 1922 to 1941, eventually assuming the role of the department’s head. His remarkable journey took a turn when he left BHU in 1941 to join the freedom movement, enduring a five-year imprisonment. Following his release, Kondiah’s dedication to his country led him to establish a chemical factory in Andhra Pradesh, contributing significantly to India’s self-reliance. The Kalipatnapu Foundation, initiated by his family, including his son Dr. Indusekhar Rao Kalipatnapu, his late daughter Smt Indira Devi, and his grandson Chaitanya Kalipatnapu, has facilitated this substantial donation. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was formally signed by BHU Registrar Professor Arun Singh and Dr. Indushekhar Rao in the presence of Vice Chancellor Professor Sudhir Jain and other members of the Kalipatnapu family, including Indushekhar Rao’s wife, Chaitanya Kalipatnapu, and his niece. Vice Chancellor Jain expressed his admiration for the Foundation and the Kalipatnapu family, acknowledging the immense value of their contribution in supporting students on their quest for knowledge. He emphasized that such benevolent donations play a pivotal role in BHU’s mission to provide quality education to deserving students, particularly those hailing from financially disadvantaged backgrounds.